Plastic surgery is the surgical specialty that reshapes or remolds facial and body tissue. It can be done to reconstruct tissue that has been damaged by disease, a defect, or disorder. Or it can be done to repair or reshape structures to make them look better.

Reconstructive plastic surgery is often done to restore or improve function – to a hand, for instance. This surgery is also done to give a patient a more normal appearance.

Cosmetic plastic surgery is done to repair or reshape otherwise normal structures of the body. This type of surgery is done to improve a patient's appearance and self-esteem.